If you ever doubted that students love their ale, then the smash hit success of the new Sphinx Pale Ale will set you right.

Knowsley’s Melwood Beer Company teamed up with Liverpool Guild of Students – the students’ union at the University of Liverpool – to create a beer for sale in the Guild’s refurbished Sphinx bar off Mount Pleasant.

Melwood says Sphinx has been designed “to give newcomers to real ale an easy drinking, refreshing pint to ease them into the world of flavoursome beers.”

And when I asked for a pint on Thursday, there was only a half left. “We’ve sold three barrels in two days”, the barman told me excitedly.

That in itself shows the idea is working. And on my tasting I can see why. It’s a refreshing bitter (4.3%) with a sweet, almost toffee edge that softens any sharpness but still leaves space for a crisp finish.

There’s always been a bit of a misconception that students just want cheap lager. But there are plenty of young drinkers who want to try something different.

Cheap helps, of course, and at The Sphinx the real ales are a refreshing £2.50 a pint.

James Coe, deputy president at the Guild, said: “We’re thrilled to have our very own pale ale, and I can say with complete confidence that it’s a great pint!

“While it’s early days at the moment, it’s proving to be a popular choice with students and we’re pleased to offer them a locally brewed beer and show our support for local businesses.”

Plus, as John and Julie Marsden from Melwood are very keen to point out, the Sphinx bar isn’t just for students – it’s open to all.

So you could combine it with a vist to the Augustus John, the often-overlooked university-owned real ale haunt that’s just a few yards away.

So all in all, the university area is a great place to continue your real ale education.